Toyota banks on tiny, green but pricier iQ model
Toyota's new tiny car doesn't boast any state of the art hybrid or plug-in technology. But the iQ has plenty else packed into a diminutive frame that blends stylish curves with safety, fuel efficiency and smooth handling.

The Cisco bid: To branch out while others retrench
On the surface, there doesn't seem to be much of a connection between the servers that run corporate data centers and a handheld video camera you use to film family vacations. Yet both have somehow become part of the master plan at Cisco Systems Inc.

Hispanics doubt fair treatment by police
WASHINGTON - Fewer than half of Hispanics in the U.S. believe they will be treated fairly by police or the courts, showing a level of distrust greater than that of whites but less than blacks, according to surveys.

Judge to clear record of man who died in prison
DALLAS - A state district judge is expected to formally clear a man who died in prison 13 years into a 25-year sentence for a rape he did not commit, making him the first posthumous DNA exoneration in Texas history.

Community service volunteers
more important now than ever
Getting involved in your community can make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate, as well as your own. Community service often is associated with punishment since it's offered to lesser offenders as an alternative to fines or jail time. But community service also can be altruistic. Giving back is more important than ever in these difficult and uncertain financial times.

Quick Opinion
If you're planning on traveling over Easter, here's some good news: Your trip should be safer due to the struggling economy. As a result of higher prices for fuel and other staples, more people are staying home for the holidays. U.S. highway fatalities have fallen to their lowest level since John F. Kennedy was president.

From our story comments
"Jack Strong was what was good about Lubbock's history and growth. No one cared more about how this city fared."

Story Comment of the Day
"Civilian doctors do not understand what a solder has on his mind. It takes another solder. The government has been trying to figure this out for the last 75 years."

Quick opinion
What are they thinking? Under a bill approved by the Texas House, decorators can't call themselves "interior designers" unless they're registered with the state. With the limited time left in this session, elected officials should be focusing on economic and social issues that affect all Texans not just a handful in one profession.

It’s official: Cole is exonerated
Timothy Cole’s family looked to the governor’s office Wednesday with a newly printed judicial order in hand, hoping to finish clearing the state’s first posthumous exoneree after 22 long years.

Judge exonerates Timothy Cole
AUSTIN – A state district judge ordered Texas’s first posthumous exoneration Tuesday and blamed the Lubbock Police Department for the former Tech student’s conviction.

Hispanics doubt fair treatment by police
WASHINGTON - Fewer than half of Hispanics in the U.S. believe they will be treated fairly by police or the courts, showing a level of distrust greater than that of whites but less than blacks, according to surveys.

Police Brief
A man was injured while fighting off two robbers who pointed guns at him early Tuesday morning.

Judge to clear record of man who died in prison
DALLAS - A state district judge is expected to formally clear a man who died in prison 13 years into a 25-year sentence for a rape he did not commit, making him the first posthumous DNA exoneration in Texas history.

Denver City woman found alive in NM
Julia McCullough's rescue Sunday night in an isolated southeastern New Mexico canyon apparently turned on another family's desire for one last four-wheel-drive adventure together, McCullough's daughter said Monday.

Tech given a boost on tier-one bid
AUSTIN - The path Texas Tech and six other major universities in the state must follow to become national research institutes - commonly known as tier-one or flagship schools - took a major turn Monday as the Texas Senate unanimously approved a bill that would set up a fund to help those schools get the prestigious designation.

LISD to start interviewing candidates
The Lubbock Independent School District board will begin interviewing superintendent candidates this week but is keeping a tight lid on information about the interviews.

House panel OKs cheaper state budget
AUSTIN - A Texas House committee approved a $178 billion state budget Tuesday, a 5 percent increase over the previous two-year budget but about $4 billion less than the Senate version.

Thomas Scott
Thomas Scott of Lubbock passed away Monday, April 6, 2009 at Whisperwood Nursing Home.
Scotty was born April 25, 1920 in Chama, N.M. to Thomas H., Sr. and Lois Marie (Collier) Scott. He married Gwyneth Scott in October 1969. He was aviation Chief in the United States Navy during WWII. He was a machinist mate and tail gunner on the USS North Hampton-also known as the Fighting Nora-during Pearl Harbor. The Nora was sunk at Guadalcanal. After WWII he lived in San Jose, Calif. and worked for FMC Corp as a machinist. He was a 30 year veteran of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Vera Louise Upchurch
Vera Louise Upchurch, 88, of Lubbock passed away Monday, April 6, 2009. She was born September 11, 1920 in Paris, Texas to Albert and Vera McGinnis. She married James Virgil Upchurch October 11, 1942 in St. Louis, Mo. and moved to Lubbock in December of 1949. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church.

Al Williams
Al Williams, of Lubbock, departed this life on April 5, 2009, at the age of 92 years. He was born April 9, 1916, in Dallas, to George S. and Abbe Jean Williams. Al attended Dallas Tech High School and served in the U.S. Army in WWII. After the war, he married Mary Francis May in December, 1947, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 12, 1990. They moved from Dallas to Idalou in 1948, and then to Lubbock in 1970. He worked as a painter at Adams Paint Company until his retirement in 1979. Al was a member of the Painters and Allied Traders Union for over 30 years.

Katrina Vaughan
Memorial services for Katrina "Kitty" Vaughan, 53, of Lubbock will be conducted at 5:30 p.m. April 9, 2009 in the Covenant Hospital Chapel with Reverend Mike Butts, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Amherst, officiating. Cremation is under the direction of Hammons Funeral Home of Littlefield.

Mike Willis
Mike Willis, 45, of Big Spring died on Monday, April 6, 2009 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. Walter McCall, chaplain with Compass Hospice, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.
He was born on May 10, 1963 in Lubbock and married the love of his life, Gayla Paige on August 1, 2008 in Big Spring.

Albert Wesley Branch
Albert Wesley Branch, of Lubbock, departed this life on April 2, 2009 at the age of 39 years. He was born July 9, 1969 in Philadelphia, PA to Albert and Selena (Ross) Branch Sr. Albert graduated from Martin Luther King High School in 1987. He moved from Washington, D.C. to Lubbock and worked as a customer service manager for AT&T. Albert married Rachael Acevedo on April 9, 2005 in Lubbock and was a member of the Templo Nazareth United Methodist Church.

Ollie Pauline Wallin Buchanan
Ollie Pauline Wallin Buchanan passed away on April 5, 2009. Ollie was 89 years of age and was born in Gruver on April 22, 1919 to Arthur Paul Wallin and Minnie Shapley Wallin. She met her husband, Paul T. while attending Panhandle A&M College in Goodwell, Okla. They were married for 62 years and had three children, Mary Louise, Paul T. Jr., and James Alan. Ollie was preceded in death by parents, her husband, three brothers, and one granddaughter.

Helen L. (Powell) James
Helen L. (Powell) James, 84, of Bridgeport, Texas, passed away April 2, 2009, in Bridgeport. Funeral Services were 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Jones Family Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. James was born Aug. 6, 1924, to Lee and Katie Powell in Red Springs, Texas. She married Royal G. James on Feb. 12, 1945.

Merle Hailey
Merle Hailey, 82, of Lubbock passed away on April 6, 2009 while in the Lubbock Heart Hospital after a brief illness.

Donnie Blackmon Lewis
Donnie Blackmon Lewis, 60, of Lubbock died Saturday at her home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Franklin-Bartley Chapel, burial will follow in the Meadow Cemetery. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Donnie was born August 14, 1948 to Donald and Ida (Wilson) Blackmon. She was a graduate of Ropesville High School, and she attended South Plains College, and University of Texas. She married Bill Lewis October 21, 1986, in Lovington, N.M. She was a member of St. Luke's Methodist Church, and was a retired bookkeeper.

N. H. "Shorty" Majors
Services for N. H. "Shorty" Majors will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at the Lorenzo First Baptist Church, with James Majors, Josh Majors, and Jeff Merimon officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Lorenzo Cemetery under direction of Adams Funeral Home of Lorenzo.

Gary D. Hollers
Gary D. Hollers, 60, of New Braunfels died Saturday in San Antonio. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the W.W. Rix Chapel, burial will follow in the City of Lubbock Cemetery. His family will receive friends at Rix Funeral Directors from 6 to 7:30 p.m. this evening.

Lynda Opperman
Lynda Opperman, 46, of Lubbock, passed from this life after a long battle with cancer. Lynda was born Nov. 11, 1962 in Lubbock, to Marvin and Elwanda Garrison, who both preceded her in death. Lynda was a graduate of Cooper High School and worked for Tersco of West Texas until she started her family. She volunteered at Christ the King Cathedral School as cafeteria manager for 11 years.

Aileen Riley Lindley
Aileen Riley Lindley, 84 of Lubbock went to be home with her Lord and Savior on April 7, 2009. She passed away at home surrounded by family and friends after a lengthy illness. Ailleen was born in Farmers Branch to Earl and Bertie Riley. The family moved to Whitharrel in 1927 to begin farming.

Frances Norris
Frances Norris, 79, of Lubbock died Sunday at University Medical Center. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the City of Lubbock Cemetery. Her family will receive friends at Rix Funeral Directors this evening from 5:40 to 7p.m.

Eliseo "Cheo" Sauseda Reyes
Eliseo "Cheo" Sauseda Reyes, 77, of Sunnyside, Texas, passed away, Saturday, April 4, 2009, in Sunnyside. Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, in Earth, with Rev. Leo officiating. Burial will follow at Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dimmitt. Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements are being handled by Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt.

Earl Rowan
Services for Earl Rowan, 88, of Acuff, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in Slaton's First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Cleve Kerby and Chaplain Paul Miller officiating. Interment will be in Englewood Cemetery under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Rudy Palos
Mass for Rudy Palos, 32, of Lubbock will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Post with Fr. Paul Karieakatt officiating. Burial in Terrace Cemetery will be under the direction of Hudman Funeral Home.

Aletha V. Sanders
Aletha V. Sanders went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 6, 2009. She was born to W.T. and Lida Vick on April 21, 1919, in Slaton. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in the First Baptist Church, Abernathy. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, at Abell Funeral Home.

John B. Rogers
John B. Rogers, 45, passed away April 2, 2009. He is survived by wife, Katherine Rogers; 11 children; three grandchildren; his mother; and numerous family and friends.

Brenda Kay Rutherford
Services for Brenda Kay Rutherford, 48, of Lubbock, will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2009 at Agape Funeral Chapel with the Rev. D.E. Buchanan officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Agape Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the City of Lubbock Cemetery.

Myrtle Janice Sherrod
Services for Myrtle Janice Sherrod, 76, of Weatherford, formerly of Lubbock, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in Resthaven's Abbey Chapel. She will be interred in Resthaven Memorial Park after the services. She passed away on April 4, 2009, in Weatherford.

The D' rules Tech scrimmage
Mike Leach labeled what he watched Monday at Jones AT&T Stadium as a good first scrimmage. No question it was a good showing for the Texas Tech defense. The Tech offense still has work to do to arrive at mid-season form.

Beer sales banned for Tigers-Blue Jays game
TORONTO (AP) - Beer and alcohol sales were banned at the Tigers-Blue Jays game Tuesday night, a day after their season opener was delayed when unruly fans littered the field with baseballs and debris.

Former Tech LB Hastings dies at 44
Brad Hastings was one of the most highly recruited football players ever landed by Texas Tech. By signing when he did - after the program had suffered four straight losing seasons - Hastings gave Red Raiders fans hope for brighter days.

Rangers clobber Lee, Cleveland in opener
ARLINGTON - Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks celebrates opening day almost like Christmas, complete with a family dinner the night before. This year's festivities included some "pretty optimistic" talk that he joked may only have been partly caused by the wine.

ENMU to celebrate 75th anniversary
PORTALES, N.M. (AP) - Eastern New Mexico University will kick off its 75 anniversary in June, and will continue celebrating with events through homecoming in early October.

State school protection bill advances
AUSTIN (AP) - A proposal to protect residents of Texas' state schools for the disabled from abuse won unanimous approval in a House committee on Tuesday.

New legislation may ease community college concerns
AUSTIN - Two years ago, after the 80th Legislature ended its 140-day session, Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the funding that pays for the health benefits of the thousands of teachers and other employees of the 50 community colleges in the state, sending shock waves to Amarillo College, South Plains College and the other two-year schools in the Panhandle/South Plains region.

Veterans could get tuition break
AUSTIN (AP) - Out-of-state veterans could get a major break for higher education in Texas under a bill that got initial approval from the House on Tuesday.

Smithee still running into roadblocks on windstorm bill
AUSTIN - In the 2007 legislative session, Rep. John Smithee came so close to passing a comprehensive windstorm insurance bill that before the current session started in mid-January the conventional thinking among some of his colleagues was that the Legislature would finally approve his bill this year.

Obama says U.S. will never war with Islam
ANKARA, Turkey - Declaring the U.S. "is not and never will be at war with Islam," President Barack Obama worked Monday to mend frayed ties with NATO ally Turkey and improve relations with the larger Muslim world.

Obama tells soldiers, Iraq: Time to phase out combat role
BAGHDAD - Flying unannounced into a still-dangerous war zone, President Barack Obama told U.S. troops and Iraqi officials alike Tuesday it is time to phase out America's combat role in a conflict he opposed as a candidate and has vowed to end as commander-in-chief.